Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing protection against hazards

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for protecting the face, head, and neck of a user against hazards including an eye protector with a lower area and an upper area for protecting the eye area of a user from hazards and a face protector having at least one fastener for removably attaching the upper edge area of the face protector to the lower edge area of an eye protector. The fastener sealably fastens the area between the face protector and the eye protector so that the face area and the eye area are protected from hazards. Other configurations may be used to protect other areas of the user&#39;s body and the fasteners may be magnetic, hook and look or any other suitable type of fastener. The eye protector may also be configured with a removeably attachable lens and the one or more removably attachable light emitters positioned on the outwardly facing surface of said face protector may also be used. Systems and methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

The inventive subject matter relates generally to the field of wearableprotection apparatuses and, more specifically, to apparatuses andsystems that protect a wearer's face against dust, particles and otherhazards. The subject matter also relates to devices that provide visualalerts in addition to the aforementioned protection. The embodiments canbe used with recreational as well as non-recreational situations inwhich a protective layer with or without a visual alerting feature isdesirable. Prior art protective devices and apparatuses make itdifficult for users to place these types of devices on the user's facesor on other areas where protection is needed.

Embodiments are also designed so that they may be used with removablelenses. U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,007 to DiChiara, which is incorporated byreference herein, describes a magnetic coupling system for eyeglasslenses that includes an interchangeable magnetic lens system whichprovides magnetic material attached to an eyeglass frame for releasablycoupling lenses to the frame. The lenses may be tinted, prescription,protective eyewear, or coated.

Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, which,taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of the invention.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the claimed subject matter, there is providedan apparatus for covering a user's face area using a protective fabricfastened to one or more safety devices. The safety devices can includeeye protection devices, for example goggles, eyeglasses, or any othersimilar protective device or article.

According to another aspect of the claimed subject matter, a method fordiverting dust, particles and other potentially hazardous debris from auser's face is disclosed.

Other embodiments also include one or more microphones and earphones orone or more light emitting sources for allowing a user to communicateand/or signal others. Embodiments may also be used with other users,such as children or the elderly, each of whom may find it difficult toprotect themselves from harmful elements in the environment.

In one embodiment, the apparatus for protecting a user's face area fromhazards includes an eye protector with a lower area and an upper areafor protecting the eye area of a user from hazards and a face protectorhaving at least one fastener for removably attaching the upper edge areaof the face protector to the lower edge area of the eye protector. Thefastener is able to sealably fasten the area between the face protectorand the eye protector so that the face area and the eye area areprotected from hazards. In many of the embodiments, the fastener is oneor more magnetized elements positioned at the lower edge of the eyeprotector and one or more metal elements positioned at the upper edgearea of the face protector. Also in many embodiments, the eyeprotector's lens is also removably attachable to the eye protector withone or more magnetized elements.

In other embodiments, the fastener is made up of hook and loop fastenersor any suitable fastener known to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or more removablyattachable light emitters positioned on the outwardly facing surface ofthe face protector, one or more power sources for providing power to theone or more light emitters, and one or more controllers for controllingthe light emitters.

In other embodiments, the apparatus includes one or more signaltransmitters positioned along a portion of the face protector so thatthe user can send one or more signal transmissions without removing hisor her face protector.

In other embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or more signalreceivers positioned along a portion of the face protector so that theuser can receive one or more transmissions without removing the faceprotector.

In yet other embodiments, the apparatus also includes a radiotransmitter having a radio controller for controlling the radiotransmitter and a power source for powering the radio transmitter. Inthese embodiments, the radio controller provides power from the powersource to the radio transmitter so that the user is able to send andreceive radio transmissions with said radio transmitter without removinghis or her face protector.

In many of the embodiments, the apparatus further includes at least onelight emitter with one or more light emitter controllers for controllingthe at least one light emitter and one or more power sources forpowering the one or more light emitters. The one or more light emittercontrollers provides power from the power source to the one or morelight emitters and the one or more light emitter controllers controlsthe one or more light emitters so that light is emitted in order to sendone or more signals. For example, this embodiment could be used tosignal others of an important event or condition. In some of theseembodiments, the light is emitted with a predetermined repetition rateand/or intensity for signaling others.

Many of the embodiments are systems and methods which use the disclosedapparatus embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the claimed subject matter used toprotect the face and eyes of the wearer;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the claimed subject matter used forprotection of the face showing the wearer about to remove theembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment with the face protecting portionremoved;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment with the face protecting portionremoved;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the face protector component; and

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the face protector component.

FIG. 7 illustrates a face protector apparatus according to embodimentsof the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 8 is an image of a face protector apparatus positioned nn a user'sface according to embodiments of the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 9 illustrates a face protector apparatus according to embodimentsof the claimed subject matter; and

FIG. 10 illustrates another face protector apparatus according toembodiments of the claimed subject matter;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According to embodiments of the claimed subject matter, variousapparatuses, systems and methods systems for protecting a wearer's faceagainst dust, particles and other debris are provided.

The apparatuses and systems of the claimed subject matter may begenerally described with the reference to FIGS. 1-10 which illustratevarious non-limiting and certain exemplary embodiments of the inventivesubject matter.

More specifically, an apparatus is provided for preventing or divertinghazards such as dust, debris and other particles and/or chemicals from awearer's face, neck and ear areas. Similarly, in other embodiments, theapparatus can protect other areas of the wearer's body such as a thetorso or back areas in a similar manner.

According to embodiments of the claimed subject matter, variousapparatuses, systems and methods systems for diverting hazards from awearer's face area are provided. The apparatuses and systems of theclaimed subject matter may be generally described with the reference toFIGS. 1-10 showing, but not limited to, certain exemplary embodiments ofthe inventive subject matter.

More specifically, an apparatus is provided for diverting hazards suchas dust, debris and particles from the face, head and neck area of thewearer of the apparatus. One element of the embodiments is the eyeprotector which, in many embodiments, can be used as the frame forprotective eyewear, specifically goggles. These embodiments use magnetsor similar fasteners to removably fasten a face protector element orcomponent. This face protector element can be any number of items suchas a cold weather face mask, a hard composite face mask, a head wearsuch as beanies, and/or an interchangeable lens or lenses.

The embodiments having magnetic frames and/or other magnetic elementsmay also be used for magnetic-therapy, for example a magnetic face maskthat allows for increased blood flow to the face, head and neck areas ofthe wearer aiding in quicker response times both visually and mentally.

In several of the embodiments, the face protector component can beattached and removal at will using the magnetic fasteners. In many ofthe embodiments, magnetic frames are used for the eye protectorcomponent so that the user wearer or another person can easily attach ordetach the face protector from the eye protector element. Additionally,in some embodiments, the face protector and the eye protector may bemade up of additional components and/or the face protector and the eyeprotector may themselves be made up of more than one component.

Another feature of many of the embodiments is that a magnetic frame maybe used for fastening the goggles or lenses themselves to the eyeprotector element. This allows for easily interchanging lenses.Additionally, the use of multiple attachment points such as with the useof multiple individual magnets allows for greater control of theplacement of the face protection with the eye protection component sothat the seal between the two elements can be made tighter. In someembodiments, the magnets can be directional so that the face protectorcan only be attached to the eye protector in one configuration, forexample as an outwardly facing face protection element.

The embodiments can be used with anti-fogging methods know to thoseskilled n However this completely contradicts the current technologyused in goggles to diminish any fogging of the lenses leading to lessvisual impairment of the wearer user when placed on the user/wearer'sface.

In many of the embodiments, the lens of the eye protector may also beremovably attached to the frame of the eye protector so that a user canapply protective face layering as desired. For example, when used within conjunction with a snow based sport such as snowboarding or skiing, auser may not want a protective face mask with lenses attached to the eyeprotector frame while traveling up the lift, but the user may want toattach the lens after leaving the lift and before taking off on a rundown the snow covered mountains. These embodiments allow the user toattach or detach a variety of different lenses using magnets and/ormetal substrate positioned on the edges of the lenses and/or the frames.For example a user could have several sets of lenses to always have aclear lens available or the user may have a choice of lenses availablesuch as a tinted lens and/or a prescription lens and these lenses can bemagnetically applied and removed without having to remove his or hergloves.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment with an eye protector having a non-removablelens positioned above the face protector component. In this embodiment,the eye component is attached to the face component with several magnetspositioned along the lower edge of the eye protector frame. The facecomponent has a several steel balls sewn into the upper edge so that itsealably attaches to the magnets positioned on the eye protector frame.This embodiment can also be configured a variety of different waysincluding using strips of flatten shaped magnets instead or in additionto steel balls.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment as worn by the user/wearer with an eyeprotector having a non-removable lens positioned within the frame and aface protector component. As in FIG. 1, the eye protector is positionedabove a face protector component. The illustrated eye component isattached to the face component with several magnets positioned along thelower edge of the eye protector frame. The face component has a severalsteel balls sewn into the upper edge so that it sealably attaches to themagnets positioned on the eye protector frame. The illustratedembodiment can also be configured in a variety of different ways, forexample over the top of the head and/or around the front or rear portionof the wearer's neck.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the eye protector component with anon-removable lens positioned within the frame of the eye protectorcomponent. This illustration also shows several rare earth magnetspositioned along the lower edge of the frame of the eye protector. Thesemagnets may be positioned as shown on the external surface of the frameor they may be embedded during the molding process along thelower/bottom portion of the frame or along any other surface of theframe which is to be used with additional protector components.Similarly, magnets or metals is sewn or positioned within the seaming ofthe face protector component. These magnets and/or metals allow the twoor more protector components to seal tightly to keep the hazards fromentering through those seals while at the same time allowing the user toquickly remove any of the protector elements.

In other embodiments, one or more alternative fasteners may be used inconjunction with magnets or instead of magnets. For example, otherfastener which can be used are hook and look also known as Velcro™,plastic buttons, metal buttons, plastic zipper, metal zippers, plasticsnaps, and metal snaps. These can be used alone or in addition to magnetto metal fastener assemblies and magnet to magnet fastener assemblies.

Other embodiments may include an insert for the face protector in whichthe eye protector frame can be inserted. In many of the embodiments, theface protector can be detached from the lower portion of the eye framewith the user pulling on the face mask as show in FIG. 2. The componentscan easily be reattached by positioning the middle of the face protectorwith the middle of the lower portion of the eye protector and guidingthe remaining edges of the top portion of the face protector so that italigns outwardly with the lower edges of the eye protector frame. Inthis way, a user can attach the face protector to the in use eyeprotector merely by holding the two components close together.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate various views of embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter. FIG. 5 shows the face protector component having individualmagnets and FIG. 6 shows the face protector component having magneticballs sewn into the upper edge of the component.

The described embodiments and variations thereof can also be used withany other portions of the face, neck and head areas to protect againstair born hazards such as dust, particles, objects, chemicals and anyother hazardous material from contacting the protected area or areas.Many of the embodiments can also be used to protect users from thenegative effects of sound with additional insulation.

Several of the embodiments can include one or more monitoring componentsfor monitoring the state of the user and/or the state of theenvironment. These monitors include but are not limited to dust particlemonitors, air quality monitors, user temperature monitors, user glucosemonitors, atmospheric condition monitors and proximity monitors to senseobjects as they come into proximity with the user.

In many of these monitoring enabled embodiments, a user can monitor witha mobile device, a website or a plugin/app to an existing website ormobile device platform. The use may also be optionally notified of achange or no change to any one of the conditions being monitored by theembodiments such as the operational status of the lights, the radiotransmitter and/or the power source battery level via the describedmonitoring interfaces and the internet which can be accessed through oneor more wired connections, wireless connection or internet over powerline connections known to those skilled in the art. Additionally,various interactivity elements can be optionally provided using theseembodiments so that users can be engaged with the data as it becomesavailable and report status of features the embodiments as well asexternal items sensed by the devices such as wild fires.

In these embodiments, a user can tie the face protection componentaround her or his neck and tuck the front part in between the goggle andface for a tight connection to keep hazards from entering inside the eyeor face protector components. Additionally, the joining of the twocomponents creates a lack of pressure points typically found with priorart devices. These pressure points can cause the user discomfort and canlead to failures in the ventilation technology. In these embodiments,the lack of any pressure points between the user and the two componentsgives the user the ability to circular air between the face protectorand the eye protector components.

Many of the described embodiments include the use of LED or any similarlow power lighting apparatus connected to one or more switches ortriggers so the lights can be activated and/or deactivated by the user.Typically lighting systems known to those skilled in the art include apower source such as a battery, a controller and the one or more lightemitter components. FIG. 6 shows multiple LED emitters 30 positioned onthe outer rear surface of the strap used for holding the face protectorembodiment in position. These components as well as the battery andcontroller may also be attached to the apparatus via magnetic componentsin the same way the magnets are used in the present embodiments withother components of the apparatus. These lights can be activated as asignal to others of a state condition such as when the user is riding amotorcycle and he or she is running low on fuel, he or she can activateone or more light emitters to let others riding nearby know that theuser is running low on fuel. In other examples, the one or more lightemitters positioned on the external portion of the protection componentmay be used to signal other events, statuses or requests. Triggers oractivator components could be voice control or noise control triggersused alone or in conjunction with smart devices such as smart phones andelectrodes used to measure brain waves for activating the one or morelight emitters.

In several embodiments, the colors of the one or more light emitters canbe changed to indicate or signal a particular state to others, such as ahazard warning state, when a dangerous condition exists. In someapplications, the lights can be visible by specific lenses so that theycan be used to covertly alert others of a condition such as a danger. Inone military application, the protector apparatus 100 could be used overan entire head and neck area with a material to prevent projectiles andsmall objects such as pebbles and rocks from reaching the user. Theprotector apparatus 100 could also be integrated into a helmet or usedin conjunction with an existing helmet. Lights can also be used in thenon-visible spectrum so that others with viewing lenses could be alertedto enemy combatants in the area. The lights with or without lenses maybe attached magnetically or with any other suitable fastener known tothose skilled in the art. Similarly, the lenses for the glasses 22 mayalso be interchangeable with removable lenses that attach to the frame18 at attachment points 32 attached with magnets or any other suitableone or more fasteners known to those skilled in the art. Just as the LEDlenses may be changed, for example with different colors, various lenses22 may be used such as lenses with filters integrated within thematerial of the lenses.

In other embodiments, a user can tie other embodiments of the faceprotection component which can be shaped in size and configuration tofit around other areas of the user's head, neck or upper torso areasusing the tight connection between the goggles and the protectioncomponent to keep hazards from entering into those protected areas. Inmany of those embodiments, the one or more lights may be positioned inone or more fixed positions and/or one or more removably detachablepositions so that light can be emitted in any desired direction andangle.

Many of the embodiments can also be used with other components which mayalso be attached and detached using magnetic components. For example,voice microphones and camera recording devices can be attached on theexternal areas of the face protector in order to have a more stableplatform for the device while at the same time preventing dust and otherhazards from entering the protected areas. FIGS. 1-5 and 7 show elements24 and 26 as exemplary components which can be removably mounted to theframe 18. Elements 24 and 26 can be any component or element such as acamera, sensor, transmitter or receiver as desired by the user.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light ofthe teaching of this specification that certain changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit orscope of the appended claims. For example, the apparatuses, systems andmethods may be used within different environments and in differentconfigurations in those environments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for protecting a user's face areafrom hazards, the apparatus comprising: an eye protector with a lowerarea and an upper area for protecting the eye area of a user fromhazards; and a face protector having at least one fastener for removablyattaching the upper edge area of said face protector to the lower edgearea of said eye protector; wherein said fastener is able to sealablyfasten the area between said face protector and said eye protector sothat the face area and the eye area are protected from hazards.
 2. Theapparatus for protecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1,wherein said fastener is one or more magnetized elements positioned atthe lower edge of said eye protector and one or more metal elementspositioned at the upper edge area of said face protector.
 3. Theapparatus for protecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1,wherein said eye protector's lens is removeably attachable to said eyeprotector with one or more magnetized elements.
 4. The apparatus forprotecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1, wherein saidmagnetized elements are hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The apparatus forprotecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more removably attachable light emitters positioned onthe outwardly facing surface of said face protector, one or more powersources for providing power to said light emitters, and one or morecontrollers for controlling said light emitters.
 6. The apparatus forprotecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more signal transmitters positioned along a portion ofsaid face protector so that the user can send one or more signaltransmissions without removing said face protector.
 7. The apparatus forprotecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more signal receivers positioned along a portion ofsaid face protector so that the user can receive one or moretransmissions without removing said face protector.
 8. The apparatus forprotecting a user's face area from hazards of claim 1, furthercomprising a radio transmitter with a radio controller for controllingsaid radio transmitter and a power source for powering said radiotransmitter wherein said radio controller provides power from the powersource to said radio transmitter so that the user can send and receiveradio transmissions with said radio transmitter without removing his orher face protector.
 9. The apparatus for protecting a user's face areafrom hazards of claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitterwith one or more light emitter controllers for controlling said at leastone light emitter and one or more power sources for powering said atleast one light emitters wherein said one or more light emittercontroller provides power from the power source to said at least onelight emitter and wherein said one or more light emitter controllercontrols the at least one light emitter so that light is emitted inorder to send one or more signals.
 10. The apparatus for protecting auser's face area from hazards of claim 9, wherein said light is emittedat a predetermined intensity and/or a predetermined intensity.
 11. Apersonal protection system for protecting a user's face area againsthazardous materials utilizing a face protection apparatus, the faceprotection apparatus comprising: (a) an eye protector with a lower areaand an upper area for protecting the eye area of a user from hazards;and (b) a face protector having at least one fastener for removablyattaching the upper edge area of said face protector to the lower edgearea of said eye protector; wherein said fastener is able to sealablyfasten the area between said face protector and said eye protector sothat the face area and the eye area are protected from hazards.
 12. Thepersonal protection system for protecting a user's face area againsthazardous materials utilizing a face protection apparatus of claim 11,wherein said fastener is one or more magnetized elements positioned atthe lower edge of said eye protector and one or more metal elementspositioned at the upper edge area of said face protector.
 13. Thepersonal protection system for protecting a user's face area againsthazardous materials utilizing a face protection apparatus of claim 11,wherein said eye protector's lens is removeably attachable to said eyeprotector with one or more magnetized elements.
 14. The personalprotection system for protecting a user's face area against hazardousmaterials utilizing a face protection apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid magnetized elements are hook and loop fasteners.
 15. The personalprotection system for protecting a user's face area against hazardousmaterials utilizing a face protection apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid apparatus further comprises one or more removably attachable lightemitters positioned on the outwardly facing surface of said faceprotector, one or more power sources for said light emitters, and one ormore controllers for controlling said light emitters.
 16. A method ofproviding protection against hazards for the face of a user, the methodcomprising: positioning an apparatus on a user's face area so that saidapparatus protects the face area from hazards wherein said apparatus iscomprised of: (a) an eye protector with a lower area and an upper areafor protecting the eye area of a user from hazards; and (b) a faceprotector having at least one fastener for removably attaching the upperedge area of said face protector to the lower edge area of said eyeprotector; wherein said fastener is sealably attachable to the areabetween said face protector and said eye protector so that the face areaand the eye area are protected from hazards.
 17. The method of providingprotection against hazards for the face of a user of claim 16, whereinsaid fastener is one or more magnetized elements positioned at the loweredge of said eye protector and one or more metal elements positioned atthe upper edge area of said face protector.
 18. The method of providingprotection against hazards for the face of a user of claim 16, whereinsaid eye protector's lens is removeably attachable to said eye protectorwith one or more magnetized elements.
 19. The method of providingprotection against hazards for the face of a user of claim 16, whereinsaid magnetized elements are hook and loop fasteners.
 20. The method ofproviding protection against hazards for the face of a user of claim 16,wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more removablyattachable light emitters positioned on the outwardly facing surface ofsaid face protector, one or more power sources for said light emitters,and one or more controllers for controlling said light emitters.